New Direct Bus From Chiang Mai To Phuket

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New direct bus to Phuket

By Phitsanu Thepthong

Photos by Phitsanu Thepthong and Jittarporn Charasrum

from left, Pol Col Anu Nernhard, Worakarn Yokying, Somchai Thongkhamkoon, and Ms. Kalyanee Thongkhamkoon,

manager of the Green Bus during the opening ceremony at the Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal.

Last week, the Chiang Mai Mail was invited by Somchai Thongkhamkoon, the Managing Director of Chaipattana Transportation Chiangmai Co., Ltd. to participate in the inaugural trip of the Green Bus between Chiang Mai in the North and Phuket in the South.

Bus passengers pay their respects to the statue of the heroines of Phuket,

famous for repelling the invading Burmese Army in 1785.

The 47 years old transportation company based in Chiang Mai organized the Muan Jai Phuket Press Tour for three nights and four days travel covering about 1,558 kilometers each way and about 50 representatives of most local media attended the Press Tour program, held from May 19-22, 2011.

At the “Soft Opening” ceremony held at the Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal, Deputy Chiang Mai Governor Worakarn Yokying, Pol Col Anu Nernhard, the Superintendent of Chiang Mai Traffic Police and Somchai Meekhamkoon launched the two 24 seat tour buses. Fitted out with massaging chairs, a personal LCD screen for video, movies, songs and games to entertain the passengers during the trip, there are also four drivers taking turns to ensure safety and two hostesses.

MD Somchai of the Green Corp (Chaipattana Transportation Chiangmai Co., Ltd, said the company has provided transportation to over 60 destinations, with more than 1.5 million passengers, and more than 10,000 trips per year.

“This year, the company was given the license from the Land Transportation Department to launch the first of its kind; linking the North and South with buses. We also aim to further develop our business with modern passenger busses, newly ordered from Shanghai.”

Managing Director Somchai Thongkhamkoon explains the features of the new buses

to operate between Chiang Mai and Phuket.

While the inaugural trip was May 19, services are expected to begin June 3. Stops include Lampang, Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Singburi, Petchaburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Chumpon, Surat Thani, Phangnga and terminating in Phuket covering a distance of 1,558 km and taking about 22-23 hours for a one way trip.

Promthep Cape in Phuket is one of the famous scenic sights of the island.

The Green Bus MD Somchai remarked that this new route is expected to promote tourism between the two regions and encourage economic development.

In Phuket the bus was met by Phuket’s Deputy Governor, officials, media organizations’ representatives, and mass media. The group toured Wat Chalong, paying respects to the Luang Por Chaem, Luang Por Chuang and Luang Por Chote and then visited Rawai beach, Promthep Cape, Naiharn, Kata, and Karon beaches.

Chaiwat Thepee, Deputy Governor of Phuket said “this is a good news for the travelling industry and transportation business to link Chiang Mai and Phuket. It is the first of its kind with the Green Bus‘s VIP new services. It is a new dimension in promoting travel between the two regions.”

The beaches of Phuket are very popular with foreign and Thai tourists.

He added Phuket province has only 3 districts, Katu, Muang and Thalang districts, located on the island of 17 Tambons, and 103 villages.

During the past 3 months of this year, there were about 800,000 tourists visiting Phuket, which was a 39 percent increase compared to the last year’s figure from the same period. More than 300 hotels now see a 78% occupancy rate, he noted.

The Phuket Governor has been helping to promote Phuket in road shows held in Europe and Thailand. The main magnets include outdoor activities such as parachuting, boating, the Mini Marathon, the well known Vegetarian Festival, walking street, and the commemorative celebration in March each year honoring Phuket heroines Thao Thepkasatree and Thao Srisunthorn.

The new Green Bus to Phuket will link the beaches of Phuket and the mountains of Chiang Mai.

Real estate investment projects have increased with this year’s numbers outperforming last year. In the near future, he added, there will be a large convention hall that could accommodate the ASEAN summit. Additionally there are plans to expand the airport to accommodate the increasing number of direct flights from countries such as Russia, India, and Europe.

“We are glad to hear that Chaipattana Transportation Chiangmai Co, Ltd has launched the tour bus linking Chiang Mai and Phuket and we offer our full support for this venture,” the Deputy Governor added.

The Green Bus will officially begin from June 3 departing Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal at 4 p.m. and departing Phuket at 3 p.m. Tickets will run 1,770 baht a passenger per one way trip.

[chiangmaimail]2011-05-26[/chiangmaimail]